scholarly journals Growth rate, scrotal circumference, sperm characteristics, and sexual behavior of mixed-breed goat bucks fed three leguminous trees

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. e0611-e0611
Author(s):  
Cecilia Zapata ◽  

Aim of study: To investigate the effect of feeding foliage of leguminous trees on growth rate, semen characteristics, and sexual behavior of bucks. Area of study: Northeastern Mexico (23°44' N, 99°8' W). Material and methods: Twenty-two young goat bucks were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: 33% alfalfa hay (dry matter basis), 33%; Acacia farnesiana; Leucaena leucocephala; or Prosopis laevigata foliage (n=4 for alfalfa; n=6 for the rest of groups). Main results: Average daily gain (ADG) did not differ between bucks fed alfalfa, A. farnesiana, or L. leucocephala (120 ± 26, 134 ± 37, and 103 ± 29 g/d, respectively), but ADG of bucks offered P. laevigata was the lowest (72 ± 8 g; p<0.05). Bucks fed alfalfa had the highest feed efficiency (6.59 ± 1.25 kg of feed consumed/kg of gain; p<0.05) and bucks offered leguminous trees had the lowest (average 9.85 ± 2.3). Bucks offered alfalfa, and A. farnesiana had increased (p<0.05) scrotal circumference (26.6 ± 0.4 and 25.8 ± 1.5 cm) than bucks fed L. leucocephala, or P. laevigata (24.3 ± 1.2 and 24.1 ± 2.0 cm). Mean ejaculate volume was two-fold higher in alfalfa-fed bucks than all other dietary treatments. Sexual behavior did not differ among bucks fed the different legumes. Research highlights: Foliage of both A. farnesiana and L. leucocephala could totally replace alfalfa hay for rearing growing goat bucks in confinement without affecting daily weight gain, most semen characteristics, and copulation ability. P. laevigata reduced body weight and reproductive function.

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
C. R. Upreti ◽  
B. S. Kuwar ◽  
S. B. Panday

In this experiment, 20 castrated male Khari and halfbred (Khari x Jamunapari) goats of 6 to 8 months of age were divided into 4 dietary groups comprising of five goats in each. The experiment was conducted for 150 days during the winter season. Animals of first diet group (D1) were fed with fodder leaves (Khanyu) + concentrate @ 1% body weight, second diet group (D2) consisted of fodder leaves ( Khanyu) + chaffed rice straw and 2% molasses top dressed rice straw @ 20% of dry matter (DM) requirement + concentrate @ 1% of body weight, third diet group (D3) had fodder ( Khanyu) + chaffed rice straw and 2% urea-molasses top dressed rice straw @ 20% of DM requirement + concentrate @ 1% body weight, and diet group 4 (D4) consisted of fodder (Khanyu) + chaffed rice straw, 4% urea treated, ensiled and 2% molasses top dressed rice straw @ 20% of DM requirement + concentrate @ 1% body weight were fed to the animals. A digestibility trial for 7 days was carried out at the end of the experiment. Daily feed intake, and urine and faeces excreted by the animals were recorded. Body weight change was recorded at 15 days interval. The average daily weight gain was not significantly different (P&gt;0.05) between diet groups. However, animals under D2 obtained highest growth rate (44.9 g/d) followed by D3 (44.0 g/d), and D1 (34.8) and the lowest average daily gain (ADG) was obtained in D4 (28.9 g/d). Significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) coefficient of digestibility for DM, CP, ADF, hemicelluloses, and cellulose was found in D3. Nitrogen, Ca, and P balance were high and positive in all diets groups. From this evidence, it can be suggested that rice straw could be used for goat feeding without affecting the growth rate provided it was pre-treated either with 2% molasses or 2% urea-molasses solution. <i>Nepal Journal of Science and Technology</i> Vol. 7, 2006


1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. GORDON ◽  
H. L. MILLER ◽  
D. H. GEE ◽  
D. P. EVENSON

Sixty-six Angus bulls, averaging 7 mo of age and 282 kg were utilized to study the effects of implants on performance, carcass characteristics and reproductive function of intact males. Bulls were randomly assigned to one of four treatments, nonimplanted (N), 36 mg of Ralgro® (R), 220 mg of Synovex-S® (S) or 24 mg of Compudose® (C). Bulls remained on test for 217 d. Blood samples were analyzed for testosterone, growth hormone (GH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Nonimplanted bulls had larger (P < 0.05) final scrotal circumference (39.0 vs. 37.7 cm) than S-implanted bulls, but were not different from R (38.8 cm) or C (38.6 cm) bulls. No differences were detected in sperm chromatin structure among treatment groups as determined by flow cytometry. There were no treatment differences in average daily gain, feed per gain, testicular weight, and testosterone or LH levels. Synovex implanted bulls had higher GH levels (P < 0.05) compared to N bulls, but were not different from C or R groups. Carcasses from C (331 kg) and S (332 kg) were heavier (P < 0.05) than those from R (307 kg) but not different from N (318 kg) animals. Fat thickness at the 12th rib was greater (P < 0.01) for S (11.6 mm) than N (9.0 mm), C (8.8 mm) and R (8.3 mm) treatments. The greater fat thickness of S bulls increased the yield grade compared to N and C (P < 0.05) and R-treated bulls (P < 0.01). Dressing percent was higher (P < 0.05) for C (63.2%) and S (62.6%) than R (61.7%) and N (61.0%) groups. No differences were detected for longissimus muscle area or USDA quality grades. Key words: Implants, beef bulls, sperm chromatin structure, carcass, hormones


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 271-271
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M Chaney ◽  
Taylor D Harrison ◽  
Kiernan J Brandt ◽  
Liesel G Schneider ◽  
Rebecca R Payton ◽  
...  

Abstract Replacement heifers provide the foundation of breeding herds by incorporating new and improving genetics. Growth rate (GR) manipulation during heifer development may alter the uterine environment via immune response impacting reproductive function. Angus-crossbred heifers (n = 48) were blocked into 4 weight classes and randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 1) control (CON) fed to gain 0.68 kg/day for 120 d, 2) fast to slow (F/S) fed to achieve 1.25 kg/day for 57 d, then 0.11 kg/day for 63 d, and 3) slow to fast (S/F) fed to achieve 0.11 kg/day for 57 d, then 1.25 kg/day for 63 d. Heifers were supplemented (75% dry distillers grain and 25% corn) four times weekly to achieve desired GR and offered ad libitum forage and water. Blood, BW and BCS were taken every two wks beginning at the start of treatment (d 0) and supplements were adjusted following BW measurement. Uterine and vaginal flushes were taken at d 0, 57, and 120 to determine cytokine and hormone presence. Mixed model ANOVA utilized fixed effects of treatment, day, and their interaction to analyze influence of GR on BW, BCS, average daily gain (ADG), and feed:gain (F:G). All BW were similar until the GR switch; CON and S/F decreased for 3 samples and then returned to similarity (P=0.06). ADG was lower in CON and S/F immediately following GR switch; however, all treatments were similar before and after this event (P=0.0054). All maintained similar F:G until F/S decreased after GR switch (P=0.01). Total F:G was similar for all treatments (CON=18.3, F/S=26.5, S/F=22.7; P=0.25) In conclusion, altering GR during development will allow producers to hit growth thresholds but may impact the uterine environment. We plan to further elucidate the immune profile via cytokine and hormone concentrations from uterine and vaginal flushes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 121-125
Author(s):  
C. Okere ◽  
M. U. Iloje

Effects of castration on growth rate, body and visceral organ weights of pigs were investi­gated using data from intact males, intact females of Large White pigs full or half cast­rated at 2, 4, or 6 weeks of age. Body weights and feed intake were recorded to the nearest 0.1kg at weekly intervals from birth, while weights of abdominal and thoracic organs were taken at slaughter. Results show that age at castration signi­ficantly affected weaning weights and weights at 2 months of age (P < 0.05), but did not affect the weights of visceral organs and the average daily weight gain (P> 0.05). Castration significantly affected weaning weights (P <0.05) average daily gain (P <0.01), body weights at 4 months (P <0.05), but not the weights of the visceral organs (P> 0.05) Intact females and, intact males significant­ly differed in body weights at 4 months and in average daily weight gain (P 0.05). Com­parisons between full castrates and intact males showed significant differences in all the measured parameters except the weights of visceral organs. Full castrates and intact females did not differ, significantly (P > 0.05) in any of the traits measured.


1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. H. Cohen ◽  
B. D. King ◽  
P. S. W. Hunter ◽  
E. D. Janzen

In 1984–1985 and 1985–1986, groups of 136 and 127 male calves were used to assess the effects of multiple implants (Ralgro or Steeroid), castration time (early or late) and castration method (surgical or chemical) on testicular development and weight gain for 28 d following castration. Ralgro-implanted bull calves had smaller scrotal circumference (P < 0.001) and testicle weight (P < 0.001) than nonimplanted calves at early castration (59 ± 1 d), late castration (157 ± 1 d) and at slaughter (459 ± 3 d). Steeroid had no effect on testicle weight at early castration (40 ± 1 d) but reduced testicle weight (P < 0.001) at late castration (148 ± 1 d). Average daily gain (ADG) during the first 7 d postcastration was less for surgically castrated than chemically castrated calves or bulls following early castration (P < 0.05) but in the 7 d following late castration, bull calves grew faster than surgical castrates (P < 0.05) and surgical castrates grew faster than chemical castrates (P < 0.05). The ADG of calves implanted with Ralgro was greater than that of nonimplanted calves during the 28-d period following early and late castration (P < 0.05) but Steeroid had no effect (P > 0.05) on 28-d postcastration ADG. Chemical castration increased scrotal circumference at 7, 14 and 28 d postcastration (P < 0.001) but by day 56, testicular atrophy was complete in those calves that were successfully castrated. Chem-cast was an effective method of castration in young calves (< 90 kg liveweight), particularly those that had been implanted with Ralgro, but efficacy was reduced (P < 0.05) in older calves (> 150 kg liveweight). Key words: Castration, Chem-cast, Ralgro, Steeroid, testosterone, beef


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 101-104
Author(s):  
G. N. Akpa ◽  
N. I. Dim ◽  
O. A. Osinowo ◽  
E. O. Oyedipe

The study examined the effects of plane of nutrition and rearing method on growth rate, increase in scrotal size; and age, body weight and scrotal circumference at puberty, in Yankasa ram lambs. Thirty-six ram lambs and 18 ewe lambs with mean age and body weight of 1453±17.7 days and 10.1 1±2.6kg respectively were used for the four-month trial. Animalswere randomised in a 3x2 factorial design with plane of nutrition at 3 levels (low, medium and high) and rearing method at 2 levels (males alone and mixture of males and females). Plane of nutrition had bighly significant (P<0.01) effect on average daily gain (ADG). Animals on the low, medium and high planes gained daily  66.8±5.5, 77.8±5.6 and 89.0±5.6 respectively. Effects of plane of nutrition and rearing methods on changes in scrotal circumference were not significant. Age, body weight and scrotal circumference at puberty in the ram lambs averaged 232.5±12.7 days, 18.3±0.4 kg and 22.7±3.1 cm respectively. Body weight at puberty averaged 17.2±1.7, 18.6±0.9 and 19.0±1.4 kg for animals fed low, medium and high planes of nutrition respectively.


1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Herd

ABSTRACTA crossmothering experiment was conducted to measure the direct and the maternal components of the response to divergent selection for yearling growth rate in beef cattle. The animals were from three closed lines of Angus cattle. Two lines had been selected since 1974 for either high (high-line) or low (low-line) average daily gain from birth to yearling, and the third line was maintained as a randomly bred control-line. A total of 221 female calves born between 1984 and 1987 was used in the crossmothering experiment, and an additional 113 cows bearing calves in 1988 were used to obtain more records of milk production.On average, high-line calves born in 1984-87 were 45 kg heavier at weaning (200 days of age) than low-line calves and 65 kg heavier at yearling age, corresponding to a proportional divergence in daily weight gain of 0·29 and 0·32 respectively. The direct component of the response to selection was 0·82 (s.e. 0-05) of the divergence in body weight at weaning and 0·89 (s.e. 0·05) at yearling age. The maternal component was 0·18 (s.e. 0·06) and 0·11 (s.e. 0·04) for weaning and yearling weight respectively. Over the years 1984-88, high-line dams produced 1·15 times the milk of low-line dams and only 1·03 times that of control-line dams. There were small differences in the composition of milk sampled in 1984 which resulted in the milk of high-line dams having a higher content of metabolizable energy (ME) than that of control-line dams. The ME in the milk consumed by the calves from the three selection lines was sufficient to fuel similar proportions of their pre-weaning growth and indicated that the expression of the maternal component of the selection response may be via small differences in the quantity and quality of the milk produced by the dams. Expression of the direct component appeared to be at least partially via differences in appetite of the calves. These results, together with results for sheep, mice and rats, show that the direct component of the response to selection for growth is much larger than the maternal component.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 201-201
Author(s):  
Joseph Dalton

Abstract Bull management for reproduction begins at birth. The objectives of this invited review are to provide a brief summary of the impact of nutrition on sexual development and reproductive function in beef bulls, followed by a discussion of management before, during and after the breeding season. Increased calfhood nutrition results in greater testicular development at maturity. Conversely, poor calfhood nutrition results in delayed puberty and reduced testicular development at maturity. Unfortunately, it is not possible to compensate for the effects of poor calfhood nutrition by subsequently providing supplemental feed. Previous research investigating sexual development and reproductive function in bulls 6 to 16 months of age focused on associations of average daily gain (ADG) and body weight with age at puberty, scrotal circumference, sperm production and morphology. Researchers reported no significant correlations between cumulative ADG and any of the factors investigated, and concluded ADG of 1.0 to 1.6 kg per day did not result in excessive scrotal fat accumulation, increased scrotal temperature, or reduction in semen quality. A common recommendation is for yearling bulls to have a body condition score of 5.5 to 6.5 (on a 9-point scale) at the start of the breeding season. Spermatogenesis occurs over a 60-day period; therefore, nutritional effects of inappropriate nutrition (over- or under-feeding) on sperm will have a carryover effect. During the breeding season bulls are usually limited to the same nutritional plane as the cow herd; however, bulls losing an excessive amount of weight should be replaced. Nutritional management of bulls after the breeding season is influenced by age (potential for further growth) and weight loss during the breeding season. Managing nutrition of bulls through early life phases and the first breeding season provides the opportunity for desired sexual development and reproductive function.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 452-453
Author(s):  
Daniel Mendoza-Cortés ◽  
Jorge L Ramos-Méndez ◽  
Adrián Félix-Bernal ◽  
Alfredo Estrada-Angulo ◽  
Manuel Franco ◽  
...  

Abstract Ninety young crossbreed bulls (approximately 25% Zebu breeding with the remainder represented by continental and British breeds in various proportions, initial weight=228.04±7.06 kg) were used in a 84-day feeding trial to assess the effects of treatments in feedlot cattle fed transition diets during high ambient temperatures. Treatments consisted of a steam-flaked corn-based diets (average 1.95 Mcal ENm/kg) supplemented with: 1) 20 mg monensin/kg diet (MON, Rumensin, Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN], and 2) 100 mg of blend of essential oils /kg diet plus 0.1 mg 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3/kg diet (EO+HyD; CRINA® Ruminants and HyD®, DSM Nutritional Products, Basel, Switzerland). Both dry matter intake (DMI) and climatic variables were measured daily and the temperature humidity index (THI) was estimated. Daily maximal THI remained over 80 during the whole trial (avg. THI = 82.67). Cattle supplemented with EO+HyD increased average daily gain in 8.7% (1.446 vs. 1.320 kg/day, P &lt; 0.01), gain-to-fed ratio in 4.5% (0.199 vs. 0.190; P = 0.03), final weight in 10.05 kg (349.48 vs. 339.43; P = 0.04) and tended (P = 0.07) to shown greater dietary net energy (2.5%) and observed-to-expected dietary NE ratio (3%). Even when EO+HyD tended to increase (4.3%; P = 0.06) DM intake, intake pattern variation were not different (P = 0.38) between MON and EO+HyD (Figure 1). Then, difference in ADG and final BW between MON and EO+HyD was not only a reflection of difference in energy intake, was also caused by difference in efficiency of energy utilization during conditions of high ambient temperature (a reduction of 7% in the estimated increase of coefficient of maintenance by heat load). Results indicate that supplementation with a combination of essential oil blend plus 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 can have greater beneficial effects than supplemental monensin on daily weight gain, final weight and feed intake during initiation-transition phase of cattle raised under high ambient temperature.


2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 645-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cleujosí da Silva Nunes ◽  
Gilberto Moraes ◽  
Fernando Fabrizzi ◽  
Araceli Hackbarth ◽  
Gustavo Alberto Arbeláez-Rojas

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of sustained swimming and dietary protein levels on growth and hematological responses of juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). A completely randomized design was used in a 3x2 factorial arrangement, with three levels of dietary protein (24, 28, and 32% crude protein), two rearing conditions (sustained swimming or motionless water), and 15 replicates. Fish were subjected to sustained swimming at the velocity of two body lengths per second (2 BL s-1), for 45 days. The level of dietary protein and the swimming conditions affected the performance, growth, and hematological profile of pacu. Swimming conditions influenced nutritional factors, increasing daily weight gain, specific growth rate, number of erythrocytes, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin. Fish under sustained swimming and fed with 24% crude protein showed better growth performance, with higher specific growth rate (4.11±0.88) and higher daily weight gain (2.19±0.47 g per day). Sustained swimming can increase the productive performance of pacu and simultaneously reduce dietary protein levels.


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